Grave cover



March 29,1921'. 1,622,995

` J. M, DODDRIDGE GRAVE COVER l March 29, 1927. 1,622,995

J. M. DODDRIDGE GRAVE COVER Filed July 51, 192e 2 sheets-shea 2 PatentedMar. 29, 1927.

,UNITED stares! marins" M. nonnnrne'n,

GRAVE Application mea July' a1,y

The object ofl this present invention is to provide a Grave coverwhereby after a grave has been formed it may be covered inf such manneras to give the appearance of grass or thesurface of the ground inY whichthe grave is formed, whereby the persons. attendinthe interment will notsee into the open grave during the interment and the services connectedtherewith.

Another Objectis toprovide a grave'cover which will` open downwardautomatically as the casket is lowered, and will return to its normalhorizontal position, covering the grave, as soon as the casket islowered a` shortv distance into the grave, and during the4 intervalbetween the opening andy closingv of the device, that is to say duringthe time the device is turned downward to let' the casket pass into thegrave, the device will forma lining for the grave, whereby the sidewalls of the `grave'can not be' seen'.

And, finally, broadly stated,` my object is to provide a grave cover tobe employed dur-v ing-an interment,and immediately prior and subsequentthereto, the same being strong and durable in construction, neat andattractive in appearance, positive and automatic in operation, adaptedtobe disassembled where# byy it will occupy a` comparatively smallamount ofspace, whiclrmay be adjustedto graves of' various sizes, andwhich can be manufactured and sold at aY comparatively low price.

Other' objects and particular advantages of this'invention will bebrought out in the course of the following description.

The prefer-redlmanner of carrying out the principlesof my invention-inva practical, eficie'nt, and economicalway, is shown in' the accompanyingtwov sheets ofdrawingsn in which-Figure 1- is a top plan view of my en-`tire device inthe position it would assume over a grave, but withimitation grass or other decorative means omitted therefrom in order toshowy the details of construction; Figure@ is a cross section; takenthrough a' portion of the earth near the grave, and a' portion of thegrave formed therein, and of my device in normal operative positionl inconnection therewith' Figure 3 is the saine as Fig. 2, except that acasket is shown' as beingfloweredintothe grave, showing across sectionof my device as it would appear while the casket is being lowered Figure4 is a perspective view of a; major arm. Fig.. 5 is a section of a majorarm. Fig-6 is an end' V(Jffli'fll(3E-2.a

or mman mentar.

e. serial No, 126,148,

view of the cani, with a running-board and' cam spring in section. Fig.7 is a side view of one of the ties. Fig. 8 is=an edge view of one ofthe pivoting members anda portion of its-` push arm.I And Fig. 9 is aperspective view of a' section of one of blankets, showing the mannerofits attachment.y

Similar' indicesv denote like parts throughout the several views.

Inf order that the construction, the opera-Y tion; and the severaladvantagesof my invention may be better understood and appre-` ciated, Iwill now take up a detailed description thereof, in whiclr I will setforth the same as comprehensively yas may.

In the drawings letter A denotes an open grave,and B denotes theear-thor ground in which the grave isA formed, the surface of' which isusually covered with grass or sod.`

Lettersv C and D denoteythe side or long runningboards, and E and Fdenote'the end or short running boards, the four runningV boardstogether entirely surround the grave and lie flat' on the surface of theground B.

Letter Gr ldenotes al casket, for which the grave Ay is formed.

There are two sides of my device, each eX- tending longitudinally of thegrave A, andv as eachfsideis a'duplicate of the other, therefore adescription of one' will answenfor both. The parts which are identicalin the two sides beingY denoted by the same reference characters inthefollowing description.

Secured, detachably, to the surface ofthe board C (and D) are two mainhinge members,1 and 2', which project over thei inner edge of: the boardC, where a bearing is formed at their inner ends. And" midway betweenthemembers 1 andfZ, also secured` to ythe boardC, is an intermediate doublehinge member 3.- y A Numeralt denotes the mainshaft, which is dividednear its center into two` parts which are connected by' av coupling 5.Said shaft 4 is revolve-bly mounted in bearings formed on the inner endsof the members 1, 2 and 3.-

Rigidly clamped on the rod 4 arer six Vmajor varms 6, which aresubstantially 'IQ- shaped, that is tosay,vtheir inner end portions areturned laterally at right-angles to their' main portions, as-shown.` y,y Alsotwo auxiliary arms are provided,I one at each end, which areJlikewise clamped tothe sha-fte, as'hereinafter stated. y

Each oft the arms, 6 andi?, are secured to' the rod 4 as follows: Ahalf-round channel 8 is formed across the face of each of said arms. Aclamp member 9 rests on the face of each of said arms, and it has ahalf-round channel 10 formed across its contact face which registerswith the channel 9, with the channels 8 and 10 almost surrounding theshaft 4 with which they engage and by which the arms and their clampsare secured to said shaft 4 by means of the bolts 11 and 12, as in Fig.4.

Formed in and extending across the upper side of the clamps 9 is aU-shaped channel 13, for the purpose hereinafter' set forth. Formed inand extending across the body portion of each of the arms 6 and 7, is achannel 14. And likewise formed in and extending across the angular orinner end portion of the arms 6 is a channel 15, which is atright-angles to the channels 14. rlhe channels 14 and 15 are for thepurpose hereinafter set forth.

Pivotal clips 16 and 17 are provided for the respective channels 14 and15. the same being pivoted to the surfaces of the arms (3, and areadapted to be turned over the respective channels 14 and 15, as shown inFig. 1. Likewise pivoted to the surface of clamps 9 is a clip 18, whichis adapted to be turned over the channel 13, also as shown in Fig. l.

Likewise the inner end-portions of the arms 7 are each provided with achannel 14, with a clip 19 adapted to be turned to cover said channel inthe arm 7, as shown in Fig. 1. The channels 14 in the arms 7 are inalinement with the channels 14 of the arms G.

A comparatively small rod 2O extends parallel with the shaft 4, having acoupling 21 in its center, and said rod 2O is adapted to rest in thechannels 13 of all of the arms 6 and 7, where it is detachably securedby the several clips 19, as shown in Fig. 1.

Surrounding portions of the shaft 4 are two coil springs, 22 and 23. Theends of each of said springs contact with the underside of one of themembers 1 and 2, and with the underside of one of the arms 6, with thetension of said springs such as turn the shaft 4 to bring the arms, andother parts attached thereo, to horizontal inwardly directed position,as in Figs. 1 and 2, when released, but still permitting said arms to beturned downward to vertical position, as in Fig. 3, against theresiliency of said springs.

A cam 24 is secured on the central portion of the shaft 4. being locatedbetween the prongs of the member 3, as in Fig. 1. And a cam spring Q5rests on the member 3. where it is secured by the same bolts 2G whichsecures the member 3 to the ruiming-board C. rl`he free end portion ofthe cam-spring 9.5 contacts with the periphery of the cam 24. Thepurpose of said cam is to not only assist the springs Q2 and 23 inturning the rod 4,

but also, and primarily, to act as a cushion whereby the rod 4, and theparts carried thereby as hereinafter explained, will operate moreslowly, that is without a quick snap when they are released.

Each side of the device includes three skeleton wings: a. central anddouble main wing and two single end wings. Each of said end wingscomprises two identical members, while the central or main wings eachcomprises four identical members.

Each of said wings proper, which I will now describe, is formed ofcomparatively heavy wire stock. The central wing consists of two mainparts which overlap each other, as shown in Fig. 1,

Said central wing includes the members 27, 28, 29 and 30, all of whichare parallel with the shaft 4. Extending horizontally, at right angles.from the ends of the respective members 27, 23, 29 and 30, are therespective cross members S31- 32, 33-34, 35-36 and 37-38. The members27, 31 and 32 are integral with each other. The members 23, 33 and 34are integral with each other. The members 29, 35 and 36 are integralwith each other. And the members 30, 37 and 38 are integral with eachother.

The members 27 and 29 overlap parallel with each other, and they areeach secured in channels 14, each by a clip 1G, before mentioned.

The members 31 and 35 overlap each other and they are adapted to besecured together by a tie-member 39, which carries a setscrew forlocking said members together, as shown in Fig. 7. In like manner themembers 33-37, members 32-35, and the members 34-38. are adapted to beadjustably secured together, each by one of the tie-members 39 shown inFig. 7.

Each of the end wings comprises two parts which overlap cach other, asin Fig. 1. Each end wing comprises two members which are identical witheach other, and each consists of a member 40, and 41, respectively,which are parallel with the shaft 4. Extending horizontally atright-angles from the ends of the members 40, are the two members 42 and43; and extending horizontally at right-angles from the ends of themember 41 are the two members 44 and 45.

The members 42-44; 43-45g 42--44 and 43445, are adapted to beadjustal'ily secured together by one of the tie members 39, as Fig. 7.

lt is to be understood that there. must be spaces between the ends ofthe main or central wing members and the end members of the wings. '.lhcpurpose of this. and therefore thc purpose of the end wing` members, isto provide a space near each end in which lowering straps may beoperated when the casket is being placed in the grave. 'lwo push armsare carried by each central Lesage-f5.

i inof adapted' to slide' into t-he member 46,

whereby the combined length of the twoy members may be varied, in otherwords, they arel adapted to telescope together, as indicated. The curvedend portion of the members- 4?.1v are pivotedz to the central por#tionvof the members28'andl 30, from which they extend upward' andinward?, andi then straight in-toithe member 46.-

pivoting andV supporting member 48 is securedy tol the curved endlportion of ealchiof: the members 46, from which it es#4 tendsy over' theshaft 4\,Yand is pivoted to theI member 27 (or29), where it isdetachabllyl secured' by the clip 48' carried thereby.

There also bein'v" an` u wardl curved )ortion 50 for'm'ed'inl the member48 to lit over the sha-ft 4, as in Fig. 8, but without attachmentthereto.

The primal object of the wings above describedwis tocarry, and support,in proper position, blankets made to simulate grass or sod, or the like.Said blankets each comprises a top 5l of artificial grass, which is madeon a backing 52 formed of wire netting or burlap, or other materiakSecured to the underside of the blankets and spaced at frequentdistances apart along the outer edge thereof are hooks 53, which areadapted to be engaged on the rod 20, whereby when the wings are turneddown to near vertical position the blankets will not slide down into thegrave, but will hang from said rod 20.

Said blankets extend from the rod 20 over all of the parts of saidwings, except the push-rods formed by the members 46 and 47.

In practice the device is assembled and placed over the grave, in theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The device is then covered over withsix separate sections of the blankets, which of course completely coversthe grave. One of the said sections of the blankets is placed on each ofthe two main sections, and on each of the four end sections, of thewings, extending them over the edges thereof, whereby the grave will notshow, and with the blankets meeting, or nearly so, in the spaces betweenthe main wing members and the end members of the wings. The outer edgesof the blankets being hooked onto the rod 20.

The casket G may now be lowered into the grave in the usual manner. Asthe Casket moves downward it will of course engage the two sets ofpush-arms, whereby the wings of my device will be turned downwardthereby against the walls of the grave, or nearly so, thereby permittingthe casket to slide through between the two wings.

As soon as the casket has passed belowthe i wings which it has pressedapart, it is.evident that as the wings are released; thatthe springs 22and' 23"\vi,ll return the wings t-o their normal' horizontal position,thereby againv clfosing the grave. Y

After the interment servie-es have been completed; andl before the graveis filled. in, p

secure by Letters Patent of thel Unit-"cd4 1. `A grave cover consistingof two set'sofwings, the two setsV of wings;- being adapted to be'locatedV on opposite sides of a grave with relation to eachother, ashaftforeach set of wings and to which the respective wings are connected,each set of wings comprising a main wing and an end Wing located on eachside of the main wing, each of the end wings being composed of twomembers which are identical with each other, and each main wing beingcomposed of four members which are identical with each other, springsfor normally holding said wings in horizontal position but permittingthem to be turned downward to vertical position, stops for preventingthe wings from moving upward beyond horizontal position, blanketsadapted to cover said wings, and means for detachably securing saidblankets to the wings whereby they will not slide when the wings arebeing turned to vertical position.

2. A grave cover comprising two sets of wings each hinged to a shaftwhich shafts extend parallel with each other on each side of a gra-ve,springs retaining the wings in horizontal position but permitting themto be turned downward to vertical position inside the grave, meanswhereby various parts may be adjusted by which the device may beassembled to fit graves of various sizes, blankets adapted to cover thevarious portions of the wings, means for attaching said blankets to thewings, and means whereby the device will be pressed downward by thelowering of a casket without the casket interfering with said blankets.

3. In combination with an open grave and ruiming boards located on theground around the grave, a wing hinged to each of the two longer runningboards and normally extending to near each other over the orrave,springs retaining said wings normally in extended horizontal positionbut permitting them to be turned downward to vertica position to permitthe passage of a casket betwe-en the wings, means whereby said wings areadapted to be adjusted to various lengths and widths in order to covergraves of various sizes, and means whereby the parts may be separatedfor the purpose of placing them into a small compass of space.

Il. In combination with an open grave having a run-board located on theground on each side thereof; a grave cover comprising a skeleton wingfor each side of the grave, bearings attached to each of saidrun-boards, a Shaft rotatable in each set of bearings, means for rigidlyconnecting the outer edge of each wing to its respective shaft, ablanket adapted to cover and rest on each wing, means for detachablyconnecting the outer edge of each blanket to its respective wing,springs for resiliently causing each wing to assume horizontal positionover the grave but permitting it to be turned down to vertical positionto form a lining 'for the sides of the grave, means tor preventing theWings from turning upward beyond horizontal position, and a cammechanism for controlling the speed of movement of the wings when theyare released.

5. In combination with run-boards located outside and on each side of agrave, a shaft located parallel with and near to each runboard, meansfor rotatably connecting each shaft to its run-board, a Wing rigidlyconnected to each shaft, each wing comprising a skeleton rameework,springs connected to each Wing and normally causing their wings to moveto horizontal position when the Wings are released but permitting themto be forced downward to vertical position inside the grave, means forpreventing the wings from rising upward beyond horizontal position, acam mechanism connected to each shaft to cushion the upward movements ofthe wings, a blanket covering each ot' said Wings, means tor detachablyconnecting the outer edge of each blanket, and means whereby all of saidparts may be detached from each other whereby they may be packed into acomparatively small space.

JAMES M. DODDRIDGE.

